Pokeworks is a fast-casual, counter-service format built around raw and lightly-prepared seafood, which puts cold-chain handling and supplier traceability at the centre of food-safety diligence in a way that doesn't come up the same way for a cooked-menu concept — that, alongside a smaller kitchen footprint than a full-service restaurant, shapes how the lease and equipment review actually run.
Pokeworks resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
The offer sets price and structure, conditioned on franchisor consent and a review of the refrigeration and cold-chain equipment's condition.
1–2 weeks†The franchisor reviews the incoming operator's background and financial capacity before consenting to the transfer.
3–6 weeks†A disclosure document may still be required for this resale — Ontario courts read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, so franchisor involvement can trigger it even where the deal is framed as private.
assessed early†Getting to closing
Landlord consent to assign the lease on a counter-service footprint that's typically smaller than a full-service restaurant.
2–4 weeks†The incoming owner typically completes food-safety and cold-chain handling training specific to the format before or shortly after taking over.
1–3 weeks†Funds and keys change hands, alongside a count of perishable inventory settled at cost and confirmation of refrigeration equipment condition.
1 day, once conditions are met†Official pokeworks.ca/franchising/ page actively recruits Canadian franchise partners for this poke bowl concept
Ontario location confirmed at Heartland Town Centre, Mississauga, alongside its Canadian storefront network
This is the first real decision in a Pokeworks resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The location's assets — counter, prep, and refrigeration equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to consent. | The shares of the operating company — everything it owns, and everything it owes. |
| Franchisor consent & ROFR | Required for the specific location changing hands. | Required for the change of control itself. |
| Refrigeration & cold-chain equipment | Itemized and condition-checked as a diligence priority — the entire menu depends on it holding temperature reliably. | Attaches to the corporation, so its maintenance and service history matter going into the deal. |
| The lease | Needs landlord consent to assign. | Usually stays in place unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause. |
| Seafood supplier relationships | Buyer confirms whether existing supplier accounts transfer or need to be re-established under the new operator's name. | Supplier accounts generally continue since the contracting entity doesn't change. |
| Tax angle | Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased. | Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares. |
The location's assets — counter, prep, and refrigeration equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to consent.
The shares of the operating company — everything it owns, and everything it owes.
Required for the specific location changing hands.
Required for the change of control itself.
Itemized and condition-checked as a diligence priority — the entire menu depends on it holding temperature reliably.
Attaches to the corporation, so its maintenance and service history matter going into the deal.
Needs landlord consent to assign.
Usually stays in place unless the lease has its own change-of-control clause.
Buyer confirms whether existing supplier accounts transfer or need to be re-established under the new operator's name.
Supplier accounts generally continue since the contracting entity doesn't change.
Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased.
Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single counter-service location changing hands between one buyer and one seller, with reliable refrigeration equipment and a straightforward lease.
Start my file →A location where cold-chain equipment needs repair or replacement negotiated before closing, or a multi-unit operator adding a location to an existing portfolio.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
Generally, yes — cold-chain handling, storage temperature, and supplier traceability get more attention here than for a cooked-menu concept, since the format's food-safety risk profile is genuinely different from a standard QSR kitchen.
Generally, but it's confirmed rather than assumed — some supplier relationships are tied to the individual operator rather than the location, so we check whether accounts carry over automatically or need to be re-established under the new owner's name.
Yes, generally — this is an earlier-stage network in Ontario than an established QSR brand, so valuation and terms lean more on the specific location's own numbers than on broad market comparables.
Not necessarily. Ontario courts have read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and franchisor involvement in matching a buyer to a seller can be enough to trigger a full disclosure requirement regardless of how the deal is described.
Food-safety and cold-chain handling specific to a raw and lightly-prepared seafood menu, distinct from general QSR training — it's typically completed before or shortly after closing so there's no gap in day-to-day oversight.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by Pokeworks or its franchisor.
Tell us about your Pokeworks resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.